Better Roads Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/102915
Applications & Innovations Applications & Innovations by Lauren Heartsill Dowdle, Contributing Editor Concrete Repair 8 techniques for restoring concrete roads W hether it's patching a hairline crack or completely rebuilding an area with a crater-sized pothole, repairing concrete roads early on can minimize future damage and the time required for the job. The repairer's success with the work depends not only on the quality of the patching work itself but also on his prepatching assessment and choice of solution. Figuring out the cause of the pavement deterioration can help determine what type of repair is best suited for the project. "Know what kind of repair you need to make and then follow through with it," says Dale Harrington, senior principal engineer, Snyder and Associates/National Concrete Pavement Technology Center. "You can't just jump into it." If a crack occurs while working on a current project, it may be easier for the crew to diagnose the problem by retracing their steps. Was there a sudden change in the temperature? Did it rain? Did they forget to cover the surface? Or, was there a change in materials, saw timing or subgrade with the cracked section? Volume changing, restraint, curling, warping, strength, stiffness, base condition and early loadings are also factors that can cause early stage cracking. It's possible for concrete to go 20 to 30 years without needing any renovation, so for existing pavement, the direct cause may be unknown – it could, for example, range from load-associated issues to long-term drying shrinkage. But no matter the reason, the road deterioration symptoms are universal. Once diagnosed, the repairer can set a plan of action. In many jobs, the deterioration will require a combinaBetter Roads January 2013 29